Where do pandas live?
Where do pandas live?
In the wild giant pandas are native to, and only live in, southwest China. Whilst they are now found in zoos across the world, China remains their only natural habitat.
Temperate forests high in the mountains, rich in bamboo, are where they make their home.
Do pandas live in the rainforest?
Yes, but probably a different kind of rainforest to the one you’re picturing.
The giant panda makes its home in a very special kind of rainforest called the bamboo rainforest. The odd thing is, bamboo is not a tree, it’s the world’s largest species of grass.
Do pandas live in the mountains?
Yes, they do, giant pandas live in temperate rainforests in the mountains of southwest China.
Pandas are used to living at high elevations, ranging anywhere from 1200m to up to 3400m in the warmer months.
Pandas cope well with the demands of mountain life, being strong climbers with thick fur suited to the cold.
The mountains also offer them some protection from humans as the steep hills and cold weather are a natural barrier against poachers.
Do pandas live in trees or on the ground?
Pandas do live in dense forests and are mostly capable tree climbers, but they don’t necessarily live in trees full time.
First of all, pandas are a bit too heavy to permanently make their home in the branches.
Secondly, their main food source bamboo grows from the ground, so they need to be on the forest floor to most effectively feed.
Finally, there’s not a huge need for pandas to hide in trees as they’re one of the largest mammals in their habitat and don’t face much risk from natural predators.
Are pandas from China?
The giant panda is native to China and is only found in the wild in the mountains of southwest China.
Some people mistakenly believe the bears also to be indigenous to Japan, but the panda’s popularity there is due to a long history of China and Japan working together on international breeding programmes.
Do pandas live anywhere other than China?
Not in the wild, only in zoos or as part of breeding programmes elsewhere.
The right habitat to support wild populations of giant pandas only exists in China, where the unique bamboo rainforests are found in sufficient size.
Special accomodations have to be made for pandas living in zoos elsewhere in the world to recreate their natural diet and climate.
What climate do giant pandas live in?
The Giant Panda’s natural climate is temperate forests, where the temperature ranges from 64-69 degrees Farenheit (about 18-20 degrees Celcius).
The bears prefer wet and cool weather, with high humidity being typical in their natural habitat.
In the winter and summer months pandas will roam across a wide altitude range to keep to their preferred temperature.
It’s not uncommon for giant pandas in captivity to be provided with air conditioning or blocks of ice to help them keep cool.
Where are giant pandas kept in captivity?
China has engaged in ‘panda diplomacy’ since the 1960s, loaning pandas to zoos around the world to raise awareness of conservation efforts and in pursuit of a global breeding programme.
Today there are giant pandas loaned to over 25 zoos around the world, across over 20 countries.
You can currently find pandas in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.
There are no pandas in zoos on the continents of Africa or South America (though there are som in Mexico, so some may consider ‘Latin America’ to have pandas).
Asia is home to the most captive pandas, with a significant population China and breeding pairs in Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and most recently Qatar. This is not surprising as China has relied partly on panda diplomacy to improve its relations with its neighbours.
The second highest panda population is found in Europe, where there are pandas in Germany, France, Belgium, Scotland (until very recently), Austria, Finland, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Russia.
In North America, the USA is home to several zoos with pandas including the Atlanta, Memphis, DC and San Diego zoos. Canada and Mexico also house breeding pandas.
Finally, in Australia you’ll find just two pandas living at Adelaide Zoo.
A map of where you can find giant pandas today
We’re working on a map that shows both the natural habitat and the location of all zoos that house pandas, watch this space!